Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
Italian to English Translations
'nipote' - 'grandchild'
Chapter Eight: Presenting her royal highness, Princess Kyrianna
Ky woke up the next morning feeling replenished and fresh. After last night's minor setback, she went up to her room and practiced Defence Against the Dark Arts spells until she collapsed on her bed from exhaustion. Preparing for third year exams wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Some subjects were a bit harder to grasp than others, but she enjoyed the challenge. Most of the teachers seemed happy with her progress, but they, just like she did, chalked it up to being the granddaughter of the fabulous Albus Dumbledore.
She read somewhere that children that grew up in adverse circumstances acclimatised to change faster and had a compensatory heightened cognitive function due to having to try harder than children that didn't grow up with much to worry about. But then what did she really have to worry about? Linus and Lenzo made sure she had everything she needed. That theory explains their talent, but hers? Or maybe all witches are this attuned to their skill; she's just judging that she was doing well by the remarks made by a few teachers. Maybe she's perfectly average. She knew she had pretty decent recall in general, however Linus always told her, there's no use being able to remember the details if you don't know how to use it to your advantage.
Ky probably should get out of bed, get dressed and start with Herbology. She just couldn't stop staring up at the beautiful summer sky. The British weather wasn't as bad as everybody said it would be.
The sky was a calming blue and there wasn't much cloud cover. It was hypnotising her into sinking lower in the soft bed, chaining her to it by sheer comfort. Wait….
Why could she see the sky above her!
Ky shot up and continued looking at the canopy of her four poster bed, which was usually just red silk but was now most definitely the sky. Just like in the Great Hall. She tore her eyes away from the bizarreness and seemed to sink deeper into the rabbit hole with every glance she took.
She jumped up in realisation and squealed in excitement!
There was the mesmerising chandelier, but its green emeralds where swapped for sparkling diamonds. There was the enchanting vanity, but what was once silver, was now white marble. The four poster was now a white plush mattress with black lace bed curtains, with beautiful red and green silk pillows that tastefully added a shock of colour. She didn't bother about showering or even brushing her teeth and shot out of the room like Road Runner.
When Ky ran into the Great Hall, everybody was seated for breakfast and she bounded onto her victim, who was just making his way out.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are the absolute best!" And with each shout of gratitude, she kissed his cheek. Her grandfather laughed at her, his beard shaking.
"As much as I'd love to take all the credit for this accomplishment nipote, I cannot. This was actually Severus' and Minerva's doing."
Ky rushed over to the Transfiguration Mistress and gave her a peck on her cheek. She gave a small smile in response.
"Oh, Zia Minnie, I adore it, thank you so much! And Sensei Severus! "She wrapped her arms around his neck whilst he was seated. He stiffened from the contact but that didn't stop her, "I knew all that mirth and sarcasm was just a cover up for utter adoration."
"No, the mirth and sarcasm was just a cover up for killer intent. And don't get ahead of yourself; I was just a spare set of hands that Minerva requested."
"A spare set of hands that challenged me at every decision. I wanted to dress the room in Gryffindor scarlet and gold, but everything I changed he magicked back to green." Minnie said smiling at Sev's continued discomfort as Ky still didn't let go of his neck.
"Well, that's Slytherin territory and I won't have you tarnishing it with those demonic colours."
"But I thought you said that that was too far away from you and Zia, not that I am complaining but what made you change your mind?" Nonno smiled at Ky, and then looked at Sev.
"Well, that was before someone volunteered to help with your guardianship."
"I offered no such thing. I knew that you would be in a tyrant of a mood being the spoiled brat I am sure you are. And then you'd take out all your wretchedness on me, and I really wanted to get some reading done today. And I knew the Old Softie would give into your whims anyway, what with the way his face dissolved after you left. I decided to cut to the chase. And this by no stretch of that deluded corrupt imagination of yours means that you can just barge into my office at ungodly hours insisting I protect you from the boogie man. I told the Headmaster I would be responsible for ensuring that you don't sneak boys in whilst school is on, and that if someone tries to assassinate you, I can be there to point them in the right direction. I don't know where guardianship came about."
"Maybe he added it in like how you added sneaking boys in whilst term commences." Minnie still had that amused smile on her face; she was enjoying this too much. "As I recall Albus said, 'someone to ensure that if anything happens, as things tend to at Hogwarts, who would be nearby to assist.' Seems very guardian like off you to add the other parts in Severus."
Sev stood and Ky let go of him, "I won't sit here and have my actions dissected any further. All I wanted was to levitate you onto that cobwebbed bed, so you do not suffocate me with your incessant whining today. Then Minerva comes along with her, 'sanitation' and 'colour scheme' and 'dust is bad for children'. I knew I would end up regretting this decision, and thanks so much Dumbledore for keeping this between the three of us. The Wizarding World is in such great hands knowing their saviour is as steadfast with secrets as a Gringotts vault." Sev muttered all this whilst walking out, making his way to the dungeons.
Ky looked down at his plate and saw all the veggies remaining.
"Dramatic exit just to distract from the fact that he didn't eat his veggies. He is a sly one he is." Nonno laughed at her and made his leave. She looked at Zia Minnie, "But really, thank you. You didn't have to; I was fine with the old room. I guess I just wanted the room as a kind of souvenir of my first Hogwarts adventure. And I actually like the colour scheme. All the brightness of day yet still retaining all the mystery of being down in the dungeons."
"Well, you have Filius and Mona to thank for that." She said, with the slightest hint of a blush on her face.
Zia Mona laughed at Minnie. "If we hadn't, Severus and you would have destroyed the dungeons. They were a few seconds from casting, weren't they Fil?"
Flitwick laughed, "Don't remember them fighting over something so strongly since the House Cup three years ago."
"He wanted to make everything green! And a ghastly one at that too. He seems to think you'll be put into Slytherin, says you're too sly for Gryffindor, too evil for Hufflepuff and too dumb for Ravenclaw."
Ky laughed at that, that does sound like something Sev would say. "Well, I don't really mind whichever one it is, I can tell that I would be in good hands either way." She smiled up at all of them and began breakfast. "And no need to be so modest Zio Fil, I know it could only be you that enchanted the canvas." He looked at me puzzled.
Minnie cut in, "Actually it wasn't. That's the way it was when we got there. A point Severus rubbed in continuously. He seems to think that that proves that the enchantment on the Great Hall ceiling must therefore have been Salazar Slytherin's wandwork. He went on and on about it being one of the famous things in Hogwarts, and it was accomplished by a Slytherin. I tried to tell him that Godric could have easily just taught him the spell…"
"Or Helga."
"Or Rowena."
"You guys really take this House thing seriously, don't you?" Ky looked at the three amused.
Zio Fil smiled up at her, "Well you see, your House will become like your family Ky. Your best friends would probably be from your own House."
"Well not necessarily Filius. Mona and I were very good friends in school, and we were from different houses."
"You know each other from school years? That's amazing. So, tell me Zia Mona, was Minnie a naughty girl in school. Did she make the boys go loco?" Ky teased, moving her eyebrows suggestively.
"I, unlike you, knew how a young lady should carry herself."
"Oh yes Ky, she sure did. Carried herself right into that broom closet on the second floor with Edward Mc…."
"Mona!" She said cutting Zia Mona off! She looked at Ky, trying to cut her laughter off with her steely gaze, "Edward McDonald was Head Boy at the time, I was Head Girl. We were looking for this group of boys that snuck out whilst on duty and somebody locked us in there. And no, alohomora, didn't work. So, we had to wait in that cupboard all night. Edward was a perfect gentleman."
"I'll be taking my leave; I see where this conversation is going. Ky, pleasant day."
"Thanks, Zio Fil! Same to you."
"We better get a move on Ky. We've got a lot to cover today." Zia Mona said rising from her seat.
"Will you be joining us, Zia Minnie? I know all you'll be doing is correcting Transfiguration articles up in your room, at least now you can do it and get some vitamin D."
"I'll come along, but don't think I don't see what you're doing. There will be no more talk of Edward McDonald."
"Or Reggie Fenderson. He had the mightiest crush on her."
"Mona!"
Ky laughed and looped her hands through their arms and walked to Herbology. She didn't miss that the initial reaction of stiffened resistance by the Transfiguration teacher, softened considerably after a second or two.
Progress.
-x-x-x-
"Yeah, but he's more talented than the whole team combined. You just watch."
Harry smiled to himself, passively listening to Ron argue with Ginny about who would win the World Cup match in a few days.
Mrs Weasley had made them a picnic for lunch, and the lot of them were spread out on a blanket in the Orchard in the backyard of the Burrow.
"Oooh, Dumbledore incoming." Harry shot up from his reclining position and looked to the house, confused as to why the headmaster would be here, but looked on in surprise to find Ky walking over to them…with Percy.
"Did she tell you she was coming?" He half whispered, half snapped at Hermione, trying to tame his hair which was surely unrulier than ever.
Hermione stared at him confused, shaking her head in the negative, and he caught Ginny staring at him fussing over his hair and immediately stopped. He discretely sniffed his shirt, they had spent most of the morning playing quidditch and he hadn't showered yet…
"Presenting her royal Highness, Princess Kyrianna Thornton." Percy bowed at their group, and Harry looked at Ron in amazement, "Your Highness, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my family. William, Charles, George, Fred, Ronald, and Ginevra. These are Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, Ronald's friends." He bowed again and whilst his head was bent, Ky winked at them, and Harry noticed the Weasley boys' were in varying shades of stifled laughter, and he also noticed that Percy was holding an umbrella out for her…there wasn't a spot of rain predicted…
Everything about this girl was bizarre.
Percy had called her Princess…did she somehow get Percy to believe that she's royalty?
"Thank you, Percival. I am ever so parched…."Ky didn't have to finish the sentence as Percy hopped to the picnic blanket and poured her a glass of lemonade, "Offer the others as well Percival." His eyes widened, he hesitated for a moment, but then began taking their orders for refreshments. The Twins changed there's three times. Harry shook his head, and Ky gave him a mischievous look that made his toes curl, he noticed Hermione giving her a stern look that was diluted by the grin that was threatening to break on her face.
Ron cleared his throat, "Er, Princess, you will be attending Hogwarts this autumn?"
"Yes Ronald, why ever do you inquire?"
"Oh, I was just wandering if you have learnt our School song. Your grandfather instructs the singing every year. I would hate for you to go to school unprepared."
"Oh Ronald, how absolutely thoughtful. I see your family is not without charm, quite a contrast to my first impression." Ky glanced at Percy pointedly and Harry actually felt sorry for the boy who was going pink in embarrassment, and then turned back to Ron. "I would ever so hate to attend school not knowing the song, I'm already so behind and fear being left out as is. I would be awfully indebted to you if you could teach it to me."
"I'm sorry Princess, the words just escape me at the moment." Ron turned and glanced at his siblings, his face turning maroon at stifling his laughter.
Percy bounded forward, "Your Highness, it will be a great honour to teach you the song. Even though it's been a year since I have left Hogwarts, my memory is sharp. Just name the time and place, and I will be at your service."
"Why Percival, what a generous offer. You may proceed." Ky sat down on the picnic blanket next to Harry, with her legs tucked to the side, very lady-like.
Godric he wished he showered earlier.
"Now? Here?"
"When and where better Percival. Unless you object…"
"No, no of course not. It is, Hogwarts Hogwarts Hoggy warty Hog…"
"Louder Perce."
"I believe George is right, and with more spunk."
"You know what I think this is missing," Bill said as he settled on the blanket next to Ky, he pointed his wand at Percy, and the next second he was wearing a top hat and had a stick. "A bit of a dance to compliment the song. We wouldn't want the Princess to think the Weasleys don't put on a good show."
"Why thank you for that William. I believe I would very much like that Percival."
"Of course, Princess."
Percy's face was red as a tomato, he began to attempt to tap dance, emphasis on the attempt. His gawky body was doing the weirdest most angular awkward movements.
The group managed to hold it together, nobody dared look at each other, knowing that they would crack if so. Harry glanced at Ky from the corner of his eye, and found her stormy greys on him. He bit his lip harder, now trying to stop his smile at catching her looking at him.
Once Percy reached the 'or young with scabby knees' line, moving his knees in and out to the lyric, the collective dam of laughter burst forth.
Ron was lying face down on the grass, banging his hands on the floor, all composure lost. Ky's face was a bright pink, her hand over her mouth, shoulders shuddering as she giggled, leaning against Harry for support and he was so glad they were all laughing that he had a reason to be this red faced.
Percy's face went from confused, to realisation, to absolute anger. He turned around and started to storm off.
"Percy wait, wait." Ky pushed off Harry's thigh to run after Percy and Harry swallowed, he knew she meant that innocently but Merlin's Beard that girl needed to be more careful where her hands went.
Harry watched as Ky and Percy were talking at each other animatedly in the distance, "Should we go help her?" Hermione voiced, concerned.
"She doesn't need help." Harry said confidently.
His eyes narrowed as Percy's hands stopped gesturing around because Ky was hugging him.
"Aww. They made up." Hermione beamed as Harry scowled…she just hugs everybody, doesn't she? He bet she didn't even sit next to him purposely, he just happened to be there and his thigh just happened to be the thigh she leaned on.
Harry just realised that Ky had re-joined them, and she was staring at him in confusion.
"That was bloody fantastic. You are a genius! How did you convince him you were royalty." Ron had jumped in between them, breaking their eye contact.
"And what was up with the umbrella?"
"Oh, I said the 'sunlight was too harsh on my delicate royal skin.', naturally he sought to rectify that." She answered Bill's question first, enacting a half-swooning damsel, pushing her shoulder forward in a very becoming pose, and Harry closed his eyes briefly, committing the image to memory, "Oh and I just lied to him when I got here and we were doing introductions." She answered Ron, "He just said that they didn't have lineages drawn up for us yet so he didn't want to chance it just in case it was the truth. It was your brilliant idea about the song though. That was the icing on the cake."
"Yeah Ron, didn't know you had it in you." Fred said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.
"Yeah, little brother, who thought all that you needed was a little push." George said, hanging off his other side. Ron was blushing all kinds of red.
Hermione grumbled to her feet, using Harry's shoulder for support…see, that's what a normal person would do, "So how did it go…?"
She was cut off by Ginny, who jumped to her feet and was advancing on Ky.
"Well, I think it was cruel and unnecessary. Yes, it's all well and funny when the Twins mock Percy, but they're family. We're family. We're allowed to do it. Who do you think you are? Just walking in here and making a fool of him. Just because you're the Headmaster's granddaughter, does not mean you can waltz around mocking my family."
Her face was red and very close to Ky's. Harry didn't realise that he was on his feet, but didn't know whether it would be appropriate to get involved.
There's no way these two would get physical?
"Ginny, calm down. It was just a joke. The Twins have done far worse than that and knowing Percy he has already forgotten about it and is knee deep in cauldron bottom reports. And we all joined in. She even apologised to Pe…"
Ky stopped Bill, "It's fine. Thanks, but Ginny has a right to feel that way. Not everyone understands the dynamics of a joke, but I'll be sure to remember that the next time I perform one in her presence."
"There is a difference between mockery and jokes."
"I'm happy that you are aware of that Ginny. Ten points. Now you'll get another ten if you define the difference, because I'm sure you'll find once you do that one implies to do something that causes amusement or laughter whilst the other is to scornfully, maliciously, and contemptuously ridicule. If I recall quite correctly you were laughing just like the rest of us, and I'm sure Percy isn't sitting up in his bedroom right now, crying from the scorn." Ky was on the defensive, probably second guessing what she did, but Harry thought Ginny was being a bit unreasonable, it was just a laugh.
All eyes were still on the two girls, and Harry looked at Hermione, who glared at him for even looking at her, clearly not wanting to get involved. Ginny turned to walk away and Ky stopped her with an arm on the shoulder.
"Look Ginny, I honestly didn't mean any disrespect or harm. I just thought it will be a spot of fun, and I don't apologise for a good laugh, but I do apologise if you took it the wrong way. Acquaintances?"
Ky stuck her hand out for Ginny to shake, as the others laughed at what she said at the end. Harry offered a weak chuckle but met her grey stare knowing she wasn't being funny.
Ginny and Ky would just be acquiantances…nothing more.
A/N: Thank you for reading this chapter - hope you enjoyed it!